The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-17
THE MATCHMAKER.
- woman Who Would De Unhappy in q
Place Where People Do Not Marry.

woman Who Would De Unhappy in q
Place Where People Do Not Marry.
Mrs Hartmixum, before her mar
rage, had been very like other young
women. so far as one could see from
general observation, but she was mar
RED hardly six months before the early
symptoms OF the matchmaking disease
discovered themselves. A month later
her ailment had developed itself COM
pletely and with unwonted virulence.
From that time to the day of her death
she never was free from it.
Whether Mrs. Hartm;Xum's mania for
bringing susceptible persons of different
sex into propinquity was born of de-
sire to make others as happy as she had
been during the budding period of her
own and John Hartmixum's loves, or
whether it was intended as n tribute TO
the happiness of the marital state, of
whose blessings she unreservedly recon-
mended all humanity to partake. is not
positively known; but it could hardly
have been the latter. for it inevitably
happened that no sooner did she sue
coed IN getting two young persons
mutually interested than she changed
her manner and did all that she could to
separate them. 1t would seem, therefore,
that she considered courtship rather
than matrimony the climax of earthly
bliss, and that, consequently, she en-
deavOred to prevent marriage whenever
she was able. not only because it was
something she could not conscientiously
recommend, but also because the fewer
the weddings the more hearts would
she continue to have at her disposal for
the pursuit of her favorite amusement.
1t was the misfortune of George
Ready to be Mrs. Hartmixum's brother
her only brother. Had Providence
seen fit to bless Mrs. Hartmixum's
parents with several sons instead of
limiting its benefactionS in that line to
single gift. it would have been a great
relief to George. As it was. he was the
only available material in the family
given Mrs. Hartmixum to work with,
and it followed naturally that she
worked George for all he was worth.
No young woman could come within
the purview of Mrs. Hartmixum but
that lady incontinentlY discovered that
the young woman was the very one of
all her sex whom she would choose for
a sister-in-law. and rhe only woman on
ho nl
George happy. Immediately, there
fore, Mrs. Hartmixum set about bring
ing the two young people together.
The young woman who for the time
eng happened to be in the as
cendant was invited to tea, to
card parties, to meetings. to any
thing. in short. which gave oppor-
tunity for getting the young woman
and the young man into each others
and it usually happened. and
by merest accident, that the
young folk found themselves alone be-
fore the occasion terminated. Even
when it was not convenient to have her
brother at hand, Mrs. HartmiXum
would in nowise relax her attentions to
the party of the other part, but would
have her near rs often as she could and
always keep her as long as possible, in
order to sound in her ears the praises |
Of brother George. On the other hand, !
when George was present and the .
young woman not by. Mrs. Hartmixum
could talk of nothing but the young
in question. He had her for
for dinner and for supper;
ne was forced to eat her with his food
and drink her with his drink. Her
name was in his ears as he went to bed, ,
hat haply he might dream of her
through the night. /
But let it appear that the young
people were beginning to care for one
mother, presto! Mrs. Hartmixum
would have none of it. The yOung
was out of her books instanter.
She knew her no more forever, and all
Ter failings. real or supposititious. were
,araded before Georges eyes, that he
night avoid that young woman as he
would a pestilence. This might seem
in Mrs. Hartmixum. 1t
would have been, perhaps, were she
lot always ready to make amends by
bringing forward some other young
woman who, if not all things to all
nen, was all things to brother George,
Until in her turn she became fond of
ieorge and he fond of her, or, which
mounted to the same thing. some
ther young woman happened along;
or it was invariably the last conner
rho received countenance of Mrs.
Iartmixum, who was the pearl of great
rice with which she would ornament
rother Georges bosom.
And so with all eligible young men
nd young women. 1t was her sole
leasure in life to promote love. She
aired couples as nonchalantly as she
AIRED her nails. and great deal Oft
ner. And though, as has already
cen said, she did not press a couple
= TO matrimony, whole droves of cou-
loo rot tbera npvert h a1eSS-for. II 1vaS